FIFA and Oceania Football Confederation (OFC), in collaboration with Papua New Guinea Football Association (PNGFA) are improving the female game with plans to implement pathways in order for the country to be more competitive at an international level.
For three consecutive Pacific Games, the Papua New Guinea women’s football team have been the “queens of the Pacific”, collecting three goal medals the most recent of which was in New Caledonia in 2011. The focus is now on the young up-and-coming women who have passion and commitment for the game.
FIFA has approved a number of women’s football programmes for PNGFA to aid them in promoting the game and encouraging more females to get involved in any way, from players to coaches to referees and administrators.
Members of the PNGFA team will visit five provinces, including Port Moresby, to run football festivals for women and girl’s.
Kimbe, in West New Britain Province, was the first to run the festival in late May with over 150 girls and women in attendance. Everyone in attendance was excited, motivated and eager to learn more about developing football skills through a number of different activities, including small-sided games.
After Kimbe the team is planning to hold festivals in Madang and Port Moresby this month, followed by Goroka in July and Lae in November. This is turning out to be one of the busiest year’s in women’s football to date, with a U-16 girl’s competition on the cards for Madang and Port Moresby as well.
From 29 October to 1 November a FIFA women’s referee course will be held, followed by a women’s coaching course from 25-29 November.
For more on Papua New Guinea football go to www.pngfootball.com.pg

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